Staff

I was born and raised in a Christian family in Mizoram, located in North Eastern India. I am the third generation of Christians in my family and go by Vanlal. My wife, Mary, and I have three children: Sam, who is 25, Jonathan, who is 16, and Andrew, who is 14. While attending high school, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, and I made a commitment to the Lord to study theology and become a pastor.

After I earned two Bachelors of Theology degrees in India, I was installed as a probationary pastor in 1989 by the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod. Three years later, I was ordained as full-time pastor. I attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Iowa to get my master’s degree, concentrating on pastoral care and counseling, and graduated from Dubuque in 1994. While studying in Dubuque I completed the summer CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. During 1999-2000, I worked as resident chaplain at Covenant Healthcare hospital in Saginaw, Michigan.

In the fall of 2000, I was called by the First Presbyterian Church in Rudyard, Michigan to become a supply pastor. During July 2001 – April 2003 I worked with World Vision International in India as a Spiritual Nurture Associate. My main job was organizing spiritual retreats and training for the staff. In May 2003, the First Presbyterian Church in Rudyard, Michigan, where I had previously worked as a supply pastor, called me again to become their installed pastor. In 2009 I worked as a solo pastor in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. In 2015, God called me to work as a pastor at two churches in Princeton, Indiana. One of my main goals was merging the two churches into one. After that had been accomplished by the help of God, He called me to work as a solo pastor here at First Presbyterian Church Van Wert, Ohio. I am very blessed and honored to be a pastor here at the First Presbyterian Church, Van Wert, Ohio.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, golf, and tennis. However, my greatest joy is to serve God and work with the church family for the extension of God’s Kingdom. If you are interested in praising and serving God, I invite you to come and join us in worshiping Him every Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M.

Gregory M. Pysh is blessed to be serving as Director of Music Ministries for the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert. Pysh comes to Van Wert after recently retiring as Minister of Music at the First Presbyterian Church in Midland, TX, where he conducted the adult and handbell choirs for more than 27 years. Prior to Midland, he served churches in Tennessee, St. Marys (OH), and Bowling Green.

Born in Sharon, PA, Pysh received a Bachelor of Music degree Summa Cum Laude from Youngstown State University, and a Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University. He has led choral and handbell ensembles in repertoire ranging from J.S. Bach to Duke Ellington.

His choral and handbell compositions appear in the catalogues of various music publishers, and writings on the choral art have appeared on the pages of the Choral Journal, Choristers Guild Letters, and The American Spirit. Pysh has also served as editor of the Choral Journal Book Review column since 2016. Greg’s wife, Kathy, is a native of Van Wert, and a graduate of the class of 1978. Kathy and Greg have two adult children, and one grandchild, Luka.

The Music Ministry of First Presbyterian invites singers and ringers from throughout the community to join us. For more information, please call the church at (419) 238-3670, or send an email to gregory.m.pysh@gmail.com.

Hello! My name is Jessica Feasby. I am the office manager for the church. I grew up in Ohio City and moved to Van Wert with my family in ’92. I attended VWHS and Vantage Career Center. I started working at a local factory in high school and spent my last 22 years there as a seamstress, I also work with my husband in our rental property business. Alex, my husband, and I live here in Van Wert with our dog Millie and cat Evie! We enjoy spending our weekends at the lake in Angola, Indiana. I am here to greet you when you stop by the church office!

Here is a little bit about my background. I am a 1996 Lincolnview High School graduate. I grew up in Wetzel, a very small town, north of Middle Point Ohio. After I graduated from Lincolnview I went on to college in Fort Wayne Indiana and attended International Business College to get my associate degree in business administration. I started out with some small management jobs, but I was not satisfied with the work. I then applied for a job in the dental field and found myself working in dentistry for over 24 years.

I met my husband Billy Knoll in 2010 and he brought me to one of the services at the First Presbyterian Church, and ever since that first church service I fell in love. I became a member shortly after and have been so blessed to be a part of this church family ever since. Billy and I then got married in the church on November 17th, 2012. Our 2 boys, Gabe and Brayden Evans also attended and went through the communicant's class and became members of the First Presbyterian Church. What a blessing to have our children be a part of something so amazing. All the congregants accepted us with love and open arms. I have always felt at home here. I am happy to say that our oldest son Gabriel married the love of his life, Hannah, in our church on October 29th, 2022.

I am Harriet Schaadt,  head organist and church music program coordinator. Born and raised on the family farm, I first played organ here when still a junior in high school. Then I left for college followed by a career in the United States Air Force. Upon retirement I taught elementary school music for ten years. I returned as organist in 2002. Back on the farm I live with two rescue cats plus rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, deer, and one 'possum.